Fuji 16mm f2.8 WR - A Street Photographer’s Review
In the world of street photography, the right lens can completely change the way you see and capture moments.
Recently, I’ve been shooting with the Fujifilm 16mm f2.8 lens, and it’s safe to say it’s been a game-changer. Over the past year or two, this lens has quickly become an essential part of my kit, but it’s not for everyone, that’s for sure.
Let’s talk about whether it might be a good addition to yours.
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First Impressions: The Fujifilm 16mm Lens
Let’s get the basics out of the way. The Fujifilm 16mm f2.8 is actually going to act more like a 24mm on your Fuji camera because of the crop factor—a wide-angle choice that’s perfect for capturing much more of the scene than your more commonly used 35mm, or even 50mm street photography favorites.
24mm isn’t so wide that it’s unusable in all but the most niche scenarios, but it’s wide. Very wide. Especially if it’s your first time shooting with something on the wider end.
It’s perfect for large buildings, busy, crowded indoor markets and things of that nature, or large-scale architecture shots with big landmarks or skyscrapers.
Lots of room to squeeze foreground and background elements into the frame
It’s weather-sealed (a huge plus, virtually a non-negotiable for me) and has a sturdy all-metal build that feels premium without weighing you down. And here’s the kicker: it’s relatively affordable, especially if you pick one up secondhand.
This lens pairs beautifully with my Fujifilm X-Pro3, and combined with some other lenses like the 27mm f2.8 pancake and my 35mm f2, the 16mm f2.8 has become the versatile, wider member of my family of primes.
Why I Bought the Fujifilm 16mm f/2.8
So, why did I decide to add this lens to my collection?
The 16mm gives me a wider perspective that’s perfect for capturing the energy of busy markets and close-quarters street photography scenes in cities like New York, Boston, or San Francisco.
I shoot in a lot of these scenarios because I feel it gives me a perfect starting point and offers plenty of subjects and opportunities to warm up with before I head out to other parts of a city where fewer people congregate and I won’t have quite as many photo opportunities.
This lens was practically made for those locations.
It also doubles as a tool for shooting architecture, landscapes, and even establishing shots for video projects, and as it’s tiny, I don’t mind throwing it in my bag even if there’s only a 10% chance I’ll use it.
Lastly, I’ve found that it really gets me thinking outside the box, even when it comes to shooting the same scenes I’ve walked past a hundred times.
Why This Lens is “Not For Everyone”
Okay, I’ve made you wait long enough- I hinted at the start that this lens might not be for you.
Let’s talk about why.
There’s a BIG learning curve. It’s frustrating to work with at times, and I have absolutely missed great shots because I had this lens on my camera, even after starting to get the hang of composing with it.
The 24mm equivalent perspective grants your composition some instant drama, BUT it can also be difficult to ‘reel in’ so to speak.
I am a big fan of minimal compositions, and even try to simplify busy scenes by using tricks like framing or blocking off part of the composition with a foreground element. I’ve talked about these tricks before as a strategy for more interesting photos, BUT I don’t like it when they become a crutch.
The shortest way to put this is: If you’re going to use this lens, make sure you wear nice shoes, because they’ll be in the shot too.
In all seriousness, 24mm is really not THAT wide. If it feels like I’m hammering this point home, it’s just because I’m so comfortable around 40mm and at the longer lengths we can experiment with using a zoom.
Speaking of which…
Why Not a Zoom Lens Instead?
If you’re a fellow street photographer reading this, there’s a chance you’d laugh at the idea of using a zoom for street…
Street Photography Purism
…but that’s absurd!!
Street photography has never been about the lens you used to get the photo, it’s about the photo itself and the story it tells. If you used a 70-200 to get an amazing photo? Great.
Not sure I’d want to carry one around all day, but to each their own.
People who get hung up on gear and why you can’t use x, y, or z generally tend not to be the authority on all things street photography, and you shouldn’t let what someone says on Reddit be the deciding factor on what you get to take with you into the city today.
So Yeah, Why Not a Zoom?
A zoom lens can be a great compromise if you’re not sure the 16mm prime is for you.
You get the wide end, but you’re not stuck to it. It’s a great middle ground if you’re worried that this lens might be too wide in most scenarios. The last thing you want is to be stopped, switching lenses back and forth constantly.
A shot taken at the wide end of my Sigma 18-50 out in La Paz, B.C.S.
Zooms have also gotten more reasonable over the years, with even constant f2.8 versions staying relatively small and light. Thank you, science.
It’s an option to consider! I love shooting with a zoom lens myself, but it’s got to be the right tool for the job.
While I do use both, there are a few reasons I might still pick Fuji’s 16mm f2.8:
While zooms can be practical and cover a range of focal lengths, they tend to be bulkier and less discreet
For street photography, I prefer the simplicity of a prime lens - It forces me to think more about composition
With this lens so small and inexpensive on the used market, I can comfortably justify having both and simply choose which is the right solution on a day-to-day basis
At the end of the day, if you’re between a zoom and this lens, maybe the zoom is the more versatile choice, however, if you’ve got a zoom already?
This lens can still be a valuable addition. Especially if it gets you a couple of mm’s wider than your existing zoom lens can.
Very easy to take it along, even in the tightest bags and smallest setups
Wrapping Up
In my experience, the Fujifilm 16mm lens is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a wide-angle prime that offers both versatility and character.
Its 24mm-equivalent focal length gives you a lot of character out of the box. Though it can be challenging to use and isn’t the perfect tool for every scenario, it’s not so wide that it’s reserved for architecture, astrophotography, or the most niche compositions.
So while it might not be the best first lens you buy or one and only lens to own, it’s a fantastic addition if you’re looking to expand your kit- especially with a limited budget!
